Improvement in fly-traps



W. B. CLARK.

Improvement in Fly-Traps.

NO'. 131,848. v Patented Oct. 1, i872.

WILLARD B. CLARK, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FLY-TRAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. ISLSLLS, dated October 1, 1872.

To all lwhom it may concern Y Be it known that I, WILLARD B. CLARK,

of South Bend, in the county or St. Joseph and in the State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fly- Traps; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying simple, efficient, clean, and cheap means whereby liies may be trapped, and to this end said invention consists in the device as a Whole, when its several parts are constructed `and combined substantially as and for lthe purpose hereinafter specified.

In the annexed drawing, A represents the base, constructed oi' or from sheet metal, in :the form of a truncated cone, and supported at Jthree or more points by means of suitable legs B, which extend about one-fourth of an inch below the lower edge of said base. Se-

cured to or upon the upper open end of the base is a spherical cage ot' wire-cloth, C, which isdivided horizontally at its center, and the sections thus formed connected together by means of asuitable hinge, c, upon one side and a spring-catch, c', upon the opposite side. Extending vertically upward from the upper end of the base A, within 4the cage G, is a lhollow cylinder, D, constructed of or from wireclcth, the upper end of which is inclosed by means of a disk, E, of the same material,

y except at two or more points, Where the upper edge of said cylinder is bent ydownward and outwardso as to form small openings f, each of which has a suiicient size to permit of the passage of a ily or other similar insect from the chamber F.

The device is non7 complete, and is used as follows: Any suitable bait is placed upon a table and the trap placed directly over the same, so as to compel theflies to pass beneath the base before reaching said bait. From the bait the flies will naturally pass upward toward the light and enter the cage through the small openings f, Where they will be most eii'ectually trapped, it being contrary to the habits of such insects to pass from a light place into one comparatively dark, Vas would be the case if they should again lnd the openings f and repass through the same into the base. When a suflicient quantity of flies are entrapped they may be killed by means of smoke or by dipping the trap in water, after which said nies may be removed and the trap cleansed by opening the wire cage. Y

The especial advantages possessed by this device are simplicity of construction, efficiency, cheapness, and such an arrangement of parts as to enable each portion to be quickly and easily cleansed. V p

Having thus fully set forth the nature and merits of my invention, what I claim as new The hereinbefore-described device, consisting of the hollow, conical base A, the spherical horizontally-divided wire cage C, and the cylindrical compartment F provided with the openings f, when said parts are constructed and combined substantially as and for the pur- 4 pose specified.`

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day. of

August, 1872.

WILLARD B. CLARK.-

Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. STANFIELD, L. G. WELfroN. 

